The+personal+account+of+societal+struggle+and+eventual+perseverance,+in+Frederick+Douglass’s+autobiography,+inspire+the+abolitionist+movement+prior+to+the+Civil+War.

THESIS:
The personal account of societal struggle and eventual perseverance, in Frederick Douglass’s autobiography, inspire the abolitionist movement prior to the Civil War.

REVIEW:
“The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass” tells of Douglas’s first hand account of southern slavery. Born a slave, he was sold from his Master (Thomas) to the towns chief “slave breaker” Mr. Covey.

During the First 6 months
- Due to his awkwardness, Mr. Covey whipped Frederick daily. - Frederick was worked and beaten to the point that he was “broken body, soul, and spirit”

During the Second 6 months
-  “You shall see how a slave is made a man” - After being beaten due to his fatigue, Frederick ran to his Master’s house drenched with blood. It was an attempt to escape Mr. Covey; however, Master Thomas did not believe Frederick so he was forced to return to the farm. - Frederick befriended a fellow slave, Sandi Jenkins, who gave him a root that he believed prevented whippings. Although reluctant, Frederick took the root and put it in his left pocket. - Next encounter with Mr. Covey in the stable, Frederick fought back which scared Covey. From that point on, Frederick was never beaten by Covey again or by any slave owner afterward. He was a slave for 4 years after Covey until he escaped.

ANALYSIS:
- During the first 6 months, Douglass experienced what it truly meant to be a slave. Mr. Covey, who was a poor farmer and seemed to compensate for his low social stature by proving his power over slaves, mentally and physically broke Frederick. - During the second 6 months, Frederick gained personal strength. He began to believe in himself once more and finally fought back against Covey’s beating. The root given to him by Sandi Jenkins serves as a symbol of Frederick's newfound strength. It is during the second six months in which Frederick’s finds his true character. - The autobiography was a means for Frederick to share his harsh slave life to those unaware of the treatment of slaves. Not being a big fan of public speaking, although the movement required empowering lectures, the autobiography was a means to spread the beliefs of the abolitionist movement. Showing both the disintegration and regeneration of moral character showed just how strong Frederick was. This inurn made him one of the most influential abolitionist leaders.

HERE IS A LINK TO AN ACCOUNT OF ONE OF FREDERICK DOUGLASS'S SPEECHES:

[[|play] Video 2:22]